PARIS HILTON, THE MODERN PHENOMENON OF CELEBRITY

Paris Whitney Hilton, known as Paris Hilton was born on February 17th, 1981, to Rick and Kathy Hilton. She is great-granddaughter of Conrad Hilton, founder of the Hilton hotels and source of the family fortune — estimated at $300 million. Her grandfather, Conrad “Nicky” Hilton, Jr., also brought some notoriety to the family, as he was the first of Elizabeth Taylor’s many ex-husbands. Paris’ younger sister, Nicky (born in 1983), shares the throne as co-heiress of the Hilton empire.

Paris Hilton is an American socialite, heiress, media personality, model, singer, author, fashion designer and actress. She is known for her controversial appearance in Paris Hilton sex tape in 2003, and appearance on the television series The Simple Life alongside fellow socialite and childhood best friend Nicole Richie.

She appeared in the 2007 Guinness World Records as the world's "Most Overrated Celebrity". In a poll conducted by the Associated Press and AOL, Hilton was voted the second "Worst Celebrity Role Model of 2006", behind Britney Spears. Critics suggest that Hilton epitomizes the title of famous for being famous; echoing that sentiment, the Associated Press conducted what they called an experiment in February 2007, trying not to report on Hilton for a whole week.

Therefore, she is an example of the modern phenomenon of the 'celebutante', the celebrity who rises to fame not because of their talent or work but because of their wealth and controversial lifestyle.

In September 2006, Hilton was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol content of 0.08%, the level at which it is illegal to drive in California. On February 27, 2007 Hilton was caught driving 70 mph in a 35 mph zone, again with a suspended license. Hilton was required to begin her jail term on June 5, 2007, and checked herself into the Century Regional Detention Facility, an all-female jail in Lynwood, California after attending the 2007 MTV Movie Awards on June 3, 2007.

In July 2010, Paris Hilton has been arrested in South Africa for allegedly smoking marijuana during a football match Friday. Paris arrived in the host nation of South Africa via private jet on Thursday and was arrested on Friday for smoking marijuana at a football stadium, according to police reports. On August 28, 2010 she was arrested on suspicion of Paris Hilton cocaine possession in Las Vegas.

On September 21, 2010 Paris and her sister Nicky were stopped by immigration officers at Narita Airport, Japan because of Paris`s conviction for drug possession a day earlier: under Japan's strict anti-drug laws all people sentenced for any drug crime are in general rejected entry. The Hiltons were due to appear at a news conference in Tokyo on September 22 to promote fashion and fragrance lines. On September 22, Japanese authorities decided not to grant Paris Hilton entrance into the country and was put on a plane back to the U.S the same day. Beside that, Paris Hilton also delay her appearance in the soft opening of Paris Hilton Handbags and Accessories outlet in Grand Indonesia Shopping Town in September 24, 2010.